About two weeks ago I was walking by Gallaudet University, "the world's leading undergraduate school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students," when I noticed a special device at the crosswalks to help disabled students in crossing the street.
That same day I saw a blind man leaving my office building, and as he crossed over the intersection of 13th and F St towards Metro Center, the only thing to guide him across the busy street was his walking stick and his sense of perception - a notion that others were moving past him, crossing to opposite side of the street.
Being the inquisitive type, my mind started thinking about the everyday things I take for granted...'things' that certain physically disabled people in this city (and beyond) would find as a challenge. Everything from a trip to the grocery store, a commute to work, dining out... everything requires planning.
It was two weeks ago when I when I told a friend about these thoughts and my interest in the issue. And then we went hiking......
